Chelsea and Manchester City meet in the traditional curtain-raiser to the English football season, the Community Shield, on August 5.

Predictions

One big question is on everyone’s lips going into the new campaign – can anyone stop Pep Guardiola and Manchester City? The champions demolished every side who stood in their way as they tore up the record books and romped to the Premier League title. Chelsea finished a mammoth 30 points behind City last season but have finally disposed of Antonio Conte and replaced him with the attack-minded Maurizio Sarri, which should improve their fortunes.

Both teams’ preferred starting line-ups could be heavily weakened by World Cup hangovers, but that will arguably affect Chelsea less, with the likes of Alvaro Morata, Jorginho and Cesc Fabregas not featuring in Russia. City looked flustered at times when teams like Liverpool matched their attacking intent and, under Sarri, Chelsea will certainly do that. Expect the Blues to surprise at Wembley Stadium and take the curtain-raising victory ahead of last season’s champions.

Score prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Man City

Betting Tips

Manchester City could be without several of their star men going into the match, though the record setting side still has plenty of firepower in their reserves. Though likely not at full strength following the World Cup, City should be expected to get on the scoresheet themselves – particularly as Leroy Sane and Riyad Mahrez will be well rested. Meanwhile, Chelsea are likely to have a stronger line-up as Maurizio Sarri will want to get his career in England off to the perfect start with a statement in his first fixture on English soil. With Alvaro Morata and Jorginho looking in great form during pre-season, Sarri should see his side on the scoresheet in this one.

At previous club Napoli, Sarri was well-known for encouraging his players to press high and attack quickly. He’ll want Chelsea to do that from the off at Wembley Stadium and that is likely to facilitate a fast, free-flowing game where there should be plenty of space for both teams to exploit.

Odds

Statistics

Head to Head

One goal was enough for Manchester City to win both meetings with Chelsea last season. Bernardo Silva scored the only goal at the Etihad Stadium in March, while Kevin De Bruyne’s super strike at Stamford Bridge in September earned City all three points. In all, City have won half of the last ten meetings between the teams with the Blues winning three. The last time these two finished level was back in January 2015.

Statistics

Chelsea scored just 62 Premier League goals last season – their second lowest tally since the 1999-00 season.

Manchester City collected 100 points in the league last season, scoring 106 goals in the process – both of which are Premier League records.

Only Leicester City were issued with more red cards than Chelsea in the 2017/18 Premier League campaign.

Pep Guardiola’s side completed 28,241 passes last season – almost 5,000 more than any other team.

Just four players collected more yellow cards than Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi in the 2017/18 season (9)